Page 68 of Wylder & the Rising Rockstar
“I do, but we’re talking about Logan’s stage fright right now.” Luke shoved himself between them. “With a band like ours, there’s no reason we can’t give Logan regular breaks during a concert where Wylder and I can rock it out for a few songs together.”
“He’s probably already planned our first tour.” Logan chuckled.
“Just one problem, though.” Wylder sighed. “His label dropped him.”
“And he’s a country singer,” Logan added.
“We can start from scratch, guys.” Luke was like a steam roller. In his mind, this was happening.
“Well, we’re still in high school, which I’d really like to finish soon.” Wylder so wasn’t ready for this kind of insanity. She needed some time to enjoy being regular girl, dating a regular boy she was in love with.
“Details, details.” Luke rolled his eyes. “You let me handle all the schmoozing, and I’ll get us a deal. You’ll see. We just need to break into a new genre and leave the past behind.”
“He’s right, you know.” An elegant woman approached them, business cards in hand. “I’m Angela Harrison, from Thirteen Records … and Devyn’s mother.” She passed out her cards, shaking each of their hands.
“For real?” Luke gaped at her. “You’re a big deal.”
“And you guys will be too, if my gut feeling is right—and it hasn’t failed me yet.”
“Mother, I see you’ve met my friends.” Devyn approached with a deer in headlights look on her face. Wylder took a step toward her friend, knowing there were issues between mother and daughter.
“This is the roommate you’ve told me so much about.” Her mom nodded toward Wylder.
“Yes, this is Wylder, Logan, and Luke,” Devyn said nervously. “Aren’t they amazing together?”
“Yes, they are. I’m intrigued with you three. I’ve heard all about the scandal of course, but it doesn’t make sense. Luke can obviously sing, but his guitar playing is his true gift.”
“We can explain,” Luke rushed to say. “It’s a long story.”
“And I’d like to hear it. That is … would you consider leaving the country music scene?”
“Yes, yes, we would.” Luke stepped forward. “Can we buy you a drink—er a milkshake?”
“I’m spending the evening with my daughter tonight, but I’d love to meet with you three and your parents or guardians tomorrow for lunch before I catch my flight back to LA.”
“Well, I’m not so sure—” Logan started to say.
“Don’t listen to him.” Luke stepped in front of his brother. “We’ll meet you at the Main tomorrow at noon.” He steered her away from his twin, finally leaving Wylder and Logan alone to do some schmoozing of their own.
20
“Wait, so this whole mess started because Logan didn’t have the stage presence that Luke has, and Luke didn’t have the vocal chops Logan has?” Ms. Harrison sat back against the booth at the Main, sipping her strawberry peanut butter milkshake. “Why didn’t you come clean once Luke got the label’s attention? Get them on board with the boys as a duo? It’s obvious Luke has a huge talent for guitar, and I was so surprised to hear he can sing semi-well too. That’s the part that just doesn’t make sense.”
“That’s mostly my fault,” Sebastian gave his brothers an apologetic look. “We were pretty much homeless and desperate. I was still just a kid myself, and we listened to our uncle who convinced us this was our only option since the label was looking for their next breakout solo artist. Then it got bigger than us, and we didn’t know how to get out.”
“And you were scared to lose the only lifeline you had.” Ms. Harrison nodded. “I get it.”
“Do you think it’s possible for them to come back from this?” Sebastian asked.
“Oh, we can have our PR people put a fresh spin on their story. Try the actual truth for once.” She waved it away like it was nothing. “But what about Logan’s stage fright?” She turned her attention on Logan. “I saw you on that stage last night, and Devyn sent me clips of your spot on the L.A. Daily Show, and the leaked YouTube video. I didn’t see stage fright of any sort. You have an undeniable magic in your voice.”
“It’s Wylder.” Logan nodded. “She gets me through it.” Logan reached for her hand under the table. “Whenever I start to feel it, she distracts me, pulls me back into the music, so it feels like it’s just us, and the crowd kind of fades away.”
“Do you think you can manage it?” Ms. Harrison asked him direct and matter of fact. “You’d need to master it one way or another.”
Logan took a deep breath, glancing between his brother and Wylder, and nodded. “It won’t always be easy, but I can do it if that means Wylder and Luke are there with me. For the music, I can do it.”
“It wouldn’t be too difficult to plan concerts with short breaks for Logan if need be.” Ms. Harrison scribbled something on the napkin in front of her.
